Comparatives and superlatives of adverbs - Easy Learning Grammar German

1Comparative adverbs

What is a comparative adverb?A comparative adverb is one which, in English, has -er on the end of it or more or less in front of it, for example, earlier, later, sooner, more/less frequently.

Adverbs can be used to make comparisons in German, just as they can in English. The comparative of adverbs is formed in exactly the same way as that of adjectives, that is by adding -er to the basic form. Als is used for than.

Sie läuft schnellerals ihr Bruder.

She runs faster than her brother.

Ich sehe ihn seltenerals früher.

I see him less often than before.

To make as … as or not as … as comparisons with adverbs, you use the same phrases as with adjectives.

so … wie as … as

Er läuftsoschnell wie sein Bruder.

He runs as fast as his brother.

nicht so … wie not as … as

Sie kannnicht sogut schwimmenwiedu.

She can’t swim as well as you.

The idea of more and more … is expressed in German by using immer and the comparative form.

Die Männer sprachenimmerlauter.

The men were talking louder and louder.

the more … the more … is expressed in German by je … desto … or je … umso …